Hi guys.

I´m facing an enigma.
My levels were fine in November, well within normal male range.

I recently had my T levels tested again and they said that it had about doubled. I´m wondering if I should half the dosage because too much T is not good, I don´t want it aromatizing back into E. I am also still having Shark Week for some reason but I was very late this month and it´s pretty much reduced to spotting, whereas in November it was full-on Shark Week.

I still use the same exact dose of gel as I did in November. Me no comprende.

As said before I work with my GP. But she lacks sufficient knowledge of hormones.
Any insight would be much appreciated.


Edit: last time I had my blood drawn during midday, and in November, in the early morning (before applying gel). Maybe this influences the results? Perhaps I should go get my levels checked again soonish.

When in your T application cycle you get levels tested totally effects the results. For those who take weekly or biweekly shots, your doctor should have you get tested either right after your shot (peak) or right before your shot (troft). Since you take it everyday, I figure the logic shouldn't be any different.

And your suspicions are right, T does build up in the system. That is why the body doesn't just immediately have "normal male" range right after your first shot or your 4th shot and so on. Some people it takes a month to be in the range and others it takes 6 months. It totally depends on the person and the dosage. Generally when someone hits the appropriate range they either stay on the same dosage or scale down a tad bit. I don't think cutting it in half is a good idea but I don't think the same dosage is doing you any good either.
I really couldn't tell you what you should do, that is honestly where your doctor should come in. However, it doesn't sound like they know what they're doing. Is it possible to see an endocrinologist who has a better idea of how  T levels may effect your body?

Hey Kings Joker,

Thanks for the reply

Sadly no, I don´t have access to an endocrinologist. There is a very rigid system in place here, where transition = waiting for half a year, then doing talks with a gender therapist for 6-12 months, then waiting two more months, then you get T and then you also get an endo.

I got my diagnosis instead from a "normal" therapist (she is licensed) but her opinion isn´t seen as valid by the endocrinologists, which is incredibly sad. Conversely, endocrinologists refuse to see me and everybody else who got a diagnosis through their own therapist, instead of the state-appointed ones.

Considering that last time I had my blood checked at midday, I think I will go back in a few weeks and have them test it again in the morning (before applying). I did not know that T can build up for such a long time though. I was told that it usually takes about 3 months to get into a stable range.

That all sounds like such a pain. I'm sorry its so difficult.

3 months is the general rule of thumb, thats why so many doctor don't test until then but everyones bodies are different. some folks respond very quickly and others respond hardly at all. You just may respond quicker then others and very strongly if your numbers doubled in 3 months.

Timing does matter a bit with lab results. When I was on gel, mine could vary quite a bit if the blood draw was at 9am versus 4pm. With shots, I just have to try to schedule it for the same point in my shot cycle every time.

I would have your levels checked in the morning before you apply to see how low your range dips.

My doctor does dose reductions in .1ml amounts. I'm not sure what that would equate to in gel. After my hysto when we were reducing my dose because my T was too high, she basically said we would reduce by 1ml every 3 months until I was at a stable point. So it would've taken over 6 months to scale down and cut my dose in half if it had been needed. I think that kind of cutting down is safer than cutting it in half and trying to figure it out from there.

@kingsjoker but I started the dosage 7 months ago, so it makes little sense that it would suddenly skyrocket in the time between November and now 

My guess is cutting down from gel is kind of a pain, since it comes in little packets and you have to sort of "figure it out". I have discussed injections though. I´ll get my blood checked to see what´s up.